Posted by Ken on December 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment
If you often find yourself asking the question “how to ensure my hamster lives longer?” then read on. There are essentially three areas that you should concentrate on when looking after you hamster that if you get right should ensure that you have a pet that lives at least two years and potentially even more, up to 3 years. When you consider that a hamster at 3 years is broadly equivalent to a person aged 80 and over you will understand that if you can provide an environment in which your hamster lives to 3 you will have been successful in providing a happy and safe life for your pet.
Your Hamster Cage
You should purchase the largest hamster cage that you can afford. The larger the better. Ideally the sides of the cage should be wire mesh to ensure good ventilation. Hamsters do tend to be quite territorial so when trying to answer your question “how to ensure my hamster lives longer” you should think hard before housing more than one hamster per cage as you run the risks of fights breaking out. You should cover the base of your hamster cage with some wood shavings and provide some straw bedding. Don’t place the cage in direct sunlight or in draughty location as these can both cause health issues. Then provide your hamster with plenty of toys to play with and keep the cage clean.
Feeding Your Hamster
Always keep fresh water available in a bottle. Give you hamster fresh food every day in a feeding bowl in a corner of the cage. It may be worthwhile placing the bowl in an area that is easily accessible and therefore easy to clean. You might also give your hamster fresh vegetables and occasionally some fruit and also supplement its diet with occasional vitamin supplement tablets.
Keep Your Hamster Healthy
You should provide a wooden gnaw to ensure that they are able to keep their tooth growth under control. Generally speaking if you keep your hamster cage clean and your hamster well fed you can have a reasonable expectation that your hamster will live a clean and healthy life for several years.
And that’s it really. Hamsters are really very easy animals to look after and can give you hours of fun if you do look after them. So if you want to know “how to ensure my hamster lives longer” you should give you hamster a large cage, feed it a good diet, provide an active play area and keep its living environment clean you should have no problems.
Filed under Big Hamster Cages, Large Hamster Cage · Tagged with Big Hamster Cages, Large Hamster Cage, large hamster cages, moist wood shavings, no direct sunlight, no draughts, string metal bars, ventilation, wire mesh, wooden shavings
Posted by Ken on November 19, 2009 · Leave a Comment
The simplest answer to the question of how big is to big for big hamster cages is… no cage is too big. You have to remember that your hamster will enjoy and thrive in as large a play area as you are able to provide. Just as any of us would find a cage restricting a hamster would find a small hamster cage very restrictive. With a big hamster cage the hamsters play time has so many more options available and a happy hamster is likely to be a healthy hamster and one which lives longer.
The minimum size for a hamster cage should really be at least 18 inches square and a similar height. Unless your hamster is a dwarf hamster you really shouldn’t be considering a hamster cage that is any smaller than this minimum size.
Big hamster cages are easier to clean than smaller ones as you will have greater access to the interior of the cage when cleaning. In addition, wire hamster cages are probably over all a better choice of material for the walls and roof of the cage, although you should try to make sure the base of the hamster cage is plastic or at least solid in formation as if it was a wire mesh then there are likely to be comfort issues for your hamster and hygiene issues for you as the hamster will likely defecate in on the floor of the cage which would soak through into the surface below. Plastic hamster cages, even the ones which would qualify as being big hamster cages tend to have a significant number of tubes and tunnels built into the design, which is great for the hamster but will always present you with problems when you are attempting to keep the cage clean.
Although it is recommended that your big hamster cage has wire mesh sides and roof, the size of the mesh should really not exceed more than one half of an inch. Any more and there is a real possibility that your hamster will be able to escape and come to some harm. It is very difficult to lose a hamster in even the smallest of houses so be aware at all times of the potential to lose your hamster.
The other aspect associated with big hamster cages is the ability to put a hamster wheel inside. A hamster wheel is an important play and exercise item and should not be overlooked. Hamsters are nocturnal and will use the hamster wheel far more at night, but they do love to run and hunt for food and as large an exercise wheel as possible is definitely preferable.
Whilst you can definitely get away with a regular hamster cage, big hamster cages with an interesting and varied play area within are by far the preferable option as your hamster will have a better overall quality of life and be a better and more entertaining pet as a result.
Posted by Ken on October 17, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Have you ever heard of a Rotastak hamster cage? Well if you haven’t, Rotastak cages connect together and form a maze to give your hammy additional space to play and move about! A Rotastak hamster cage attempts to mimic the natural habitat of your hamster.
The pros of the rotastak hamster cage include giving your hamster room to play through the tunnels and climb through the tubes. The Rotastak hamster cage is like Lego for kids! They can create their own ideas of tunnels for their little pets and they stay interested at the same time. Most of the time when you buy your kids a new pet, they stay engrossed for only a short time but can easily get bored as time goes by! The activity that your hamster will likely exhibit in the Rotastak hamster cage may well keep them interested in their pet for longer.
With the Rotastak hamster cage they can play and be creative at the same time. The cage comes with in different colors and enhances the decor of your house! These types of cages are perfect for your dwarf hamster since they are small and can fit through anything. However, although these cages may seem like a good idea and certainly provide a great little run for your pet you should be aware that there are some cons, or things that you should certainly consider before purchasing, as well!
Since these cages consist of various small parts, it can be quite frustrating to clean! You have to take apart all the small bits and pieces in order to clean it properly! Getting food in the right places can also be a bit of a hassle as well! Since the Rotastak hamster cage is filled with all kinds of tubing, it might be hard on your hamster to ventilate! This is important as your hamster does not react well to stuffy high temperature environments and it may cause irreperable harm.
The plastic accessories of the Rotastak hamster cage have been accused of being made of poor quality plastic and could snap easily! When buying a Rotastak hamster cage, make sure you shop around for one that is durable and comes with warranty! There are rotastak hamster cages that are a bit more expensive but you will notice that they come with lots of space, thick plastic and metal bars! So if you’re buying your hamster a home of its dreams them make sure you make it a good one!
Filed under Rotastak Hamster Cage · Tagged with Big Hamster Cages, cheap hamster cages, Dwarf Hamster Cage, dwarf hamster cages, Hamster Cage, hamster cages, hamsters cage, hamsters cages, high temperature, Large Hamster Cage, large hamster cages, pink hamster cage, Rotastak Hamster Cage, rotastak hamster cages, small parts, tubing
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